“Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT)
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)
“Never stop praying.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT)
As I am writing this I am in the midst of “Pray First: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting” with my Church Family. The following is taken from the website of my Church (Resurrection Life Church of Grandville Michigan) explaining what the 21 days are all about…
…”We know that prayer is powerful. It draws us close to God and brings results and unity as we seek Him together. We are taking 21 days as we start the year to seek GOD FIRST with daily topics and verses, promises, and prayers that you can stand on in faith…”
On November 1, 2021 I entered in to a 21 day period that desperately needed what the “Pray First: 21 Days of Prayer” is claiming. Let’s walk through them together…
Monday (11/1) – Melody and I both woke up feeling under the weather. As the day proceeded I progressively felt worse, while Melody stayed about the same. We began doing battle individually, and together, through prayer, confessing the Word, and taking over the counter medication.
Tuesday (11/2) – I was seriously ill (vomiting, diarrhea, high temperature, body aches, etc.) while Melody remained the same (mild body aches and upset stomach).
Wednesday (11/3) – We were both tested for Covid. I seemed to be turning the corner toward health, while Melody got just a touch worse.
Thursday (11/4) – I was close to fully recovered and Melody was still holding manageable symptoms. We received the results from our Covid tests and both were positive. I remember Melody reading the results, looking at me, and saying, “If this is all Covid has to offer I don’t know why I was so afraid. Maybe I should be glad I got it so that I can get it over with.”
Friday (11/5) – I woke up feeling great, but Melody was beginning to feel worse. Her symptoms continued to worsen through the day. I remember her saying, “Well, I guess I spoke too soon.” Melody, being the “Queen of Hope,” remained positive, praying and asking the Lord to remove these symptoms and heal her body. As the “Man of Faith,” I layed hands on Melody and decreed complete restoration, health, and healing over her. I bound the spirit of infirmity, commanded all sickness to leave in Jesus Name, pled the Blood on her behalf, and came into agreement for swift and complete deliverance. When we went to bed I sensed that Melody was full of hope, and I was overflowing with faith. It’s times like this that pull out of us whatever we have deposited. If I have deposited fear and doubt, trials will bring it out. If I have deposited hope and faith, they will rise to the surface. At this point those things that Melody and I had deposited were being brought to the surface of our lives. After praying together we went to sleep expecting to wake up with this battle behind us.
Saturday (11/6) – At 5am Melody woke me from a deep and restful sleep to calmly inform me that it was time to take her to the hospital (remember this moment as it will become significant later). While her symptoms had worsened over the night, they still appeared to be manageable, however I had learned through the years not to question Melody’s wisdom when it came to the direction she chose to fight her battles. So, off to the hospital we drove.
We will pick this up tomorrow…